Airplane construction



Nov. 6, 1945. c. H. BATHURST AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 11, 1943 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 6, 1945. c. H. BATHURST AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11 INVENTOR G c/7 b. fiaffiursf ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT oFrics AIRPLANE iz gz'i'nucnmv 11' (Ci. 24l-137) This invention relates to airplane construction and more particularly to an airplane having one or more removable cargo compartments or sections for carrying mail, baggage, or general freight and has for its principal object to provide an airplane structure in which the removable compartments or sections form parts of the fuselage and may be readily connected and disconnected to permit delivery of the cargo some distance from the airport without unloading the respective compartments.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a plane skeleton frame in which the fuselage is formed of removable sections; to provide an airplane having removable sections which maybe placed on a truck or the like for delivery at some distance from an air port: to provide a hinged connection between the control cabin and the tail assembly for hinging said tail assembly to an out-of-the-wayposition to permit the removable sections to be slid rearwardly of the plane for bodily removal from the frame thereof; to provide an airplane structure composed of a unitary nose section and fuselage base together with removable sections and a tail assembly; to provide a rigid beam on the tail assembly for supical to manufacture and operate; and to provide improved parts and arrangements of parts in v the structure of an airplane of this character.

In accomplishing these .and'other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved shown on a truck for delivery to the cargo desti-' porting connection with the control compartment; to provide mating recesses in the removable sections for receiving the beam when "the fuselage is assembled; to provide cooperating members onthe beam compartments and fuselage base for holding the respective partsin assembled streamlined condition; to provide for lifting and supporting the beam and tail assembly to permit removal of the compartments, the. beam being capable of acting as a boom for aiding in moving said compartments; to provide mating nesting surfaces on the compartments for aiding in eliminating any movement thereof; to provide tracks and rollers for aiding in moving the compartmentscn the fuselage base; to rovide for enclosing and maintaining the control cables and the like in connected conditionat all times to minimize the possibility of errors that might occur were the control members disconnected when the compartments were removed; and to provide a plurality of' interchangeable cargo sections whereby one may be removed for delivery at some distance from anairport and another placed on an airplane fuselage base to ance of flight of the plane.

Still further objects of the invention -are to v provide an improved cargo airplane of conventional shape, of stem, sturdy, durable construction, emcient and of large capacity, yet econompermit confirm-- preferably consisting of a streamlined nose secnation.

r Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the tail structure particularly showing a form of connecting member for the tail assembly and the fuselage base.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the fuselage on the line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of one of the removable cargo compartments.

Referring more in detail to the drawings: I designates an airplane having a fuselage 2 tion Sand an elongated rearwardly extending platform section 4, said platform section 4 being compared to the total depth of the fuselage and nose section. The platform section of the fuselage is provided with internal members and trussing, as at -l5, to provide suflicient strength to carry the stresses to which the conventional fuselage is normally subjected and to provide suitable supportfor the nose section which is formed as a unitary part thereof. Suitable wings 8 extend outwardly from each side of the fuselage base and are suitably connected thereto to provide a plane of the cabin or the cargo type of preferably low wing monoplane structure, in which the motors I and propellers 8 are carried by suitable housings Son the wings. While I have shown a low-wing monoplane structure, it is contemplated that a high-wing monoplate structure may be utilized by extending the nose section to'suitably mount the wings without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Mounted below the fuselage base adjacent the Y rear thereof is a tail wheel ll of the landing gear Fig. 3 a side elevation of an airplane with the ventional practice.

which cooperates with landing wheels I I mounted under the wing structure said landing wheels being made retractable so they may be used during landing and retracted during flight, as in con- Mounted on the platform of the fuselage base are one or more removable cargo sections which in the present instance are shown in three sections l2, l3 and I4. These sections preferably formed with curved front and rear .ends I5 and I8 which permit the cargo section i2,

for example, to mate and nest with the rear portion l1 of the nose section and all of the respective cargo sections to nest with each other to form a conventionally shaped fuselage which completes the streamlining of the nose section. The rear end of the section |4 is curved as at |8 to mate with the curved portion I8 of a tail member 28 mounted on a beam 2|which is pivotally bly consisting of vertical fins and rudders 24 and- In order to provide an airplane fuselage of sub- I stantially conventional shape, the cargo containers l2, I3 and I4 are provided with aligning grooves 29, 38 and 3|, Fig. 3, adapted to receive the beam 2| when the plane' is all assembled ready for flight to provide for substantial streamlining of the fuselage, and to provide for anchoring the cargo members against lateral movement by engagement of the sides 32 of the beams with the sides 33 of the respective grooves. The cargo compartments are further anchored against lateral or longitudinal movement by pins or other suitable devices 34 engaging in recesses 35 at the bottom of the grooves of the respective cargo compartments.

When the cargo compartments are in place and with the beam 2| seating in the respective grooves in the cargo compartments, the curved ends of the respective compartments cooperate with the beam, the pins engaging thereon in the recesses, to hold the compartments positively in place. When the beam 2| rests in the grooves in the cargo compartment, the flattened portion 36 on the bottom of the tail member 28 rests on the .rear portion of the platform of the fuselage base,

and is held in place by a suitable fastening means such as an arm 31 hinged to the lower side of the fuselage base as at 38 and lying in grooves 38 and 48 in the fuselage base in the tail member 28 to provide a streamlined efiect therein. The arm 31 is secured to the tail member by means of suitable fastening devices such as screws 4|. The fastening of the tail members 28 to the fuselage base not only holds the tail assembly in proper functioning position but also assists in holding the removable cargo compartments in place and provides a rigid skeleton frame construction composed of the nose section 3, the fuselage base 4, the beam 2| and the tail member 28.

The-respective cargo compartments are preferably formed of sheet metal walls 42 having suitable tri'ssing therein and a floor structure 43 mounted on floor sills 44 which are enclosed as at 45 to provide a bottom. adapted to rest on the top 41 of the fuselage base. The ends of each compartment are preferably provided with iill openings that are normally closed by suitable panels 48 to permit loading and unloading of the respective compartments. In order to assist in moving the respective compartments into place. rollers 49 are preferably mounted in recesses 58 and extend slightly below the surface 46 to engage the surface 41 of the fuselage base to permit rolling of the respective compartments thereon. In order to provide further assurance against lateral movement of the respective compartments tracks 50 and 5| are preferably, secured to the bracing in the fuselage base as at 52 and extend above the surface 41 to engage in grooves 53 in the sill members ofthe compartment. The tracks may be provided with spaced flanges 54 adapted to engage flanges 55 in the grooves 53 to prevent upward movement of the compartment.

Additional fastening devices may be provided to hold the respective compartments in place.

One arrangement of such fastening devices may be suitable arms 58 hingedly mounted as at 51 to the fuselage base and seating in grooves 58 and 59in the fuselage base and compartment side walls respectively and secured to the compartment by means of suitable fastening devices such as screws 68.

While in well equipped airports and terminals suitable means probably is or could be made available for lifting the tail assembly upwardly on the end 22 of the beam, it is possible that in smaller airports suitable apparatus would not be available. I have, therefore, provided a winch structure 8| in the rear of the nose section to operate a cable or'the like 62 adapted to extend over a pulley 83 mounted on an arm 64 hinged as at 65 placed under the beam to hold same in raised condition and to permit the beam 2| to act as a boom to allow the cable 62 to be attached to the respective cargo compartments. The winch 6| may then be operated to lift same to aid in removal from the track whereby the respective cargo compartments may be moved to the rear of the fuselage base and placed on a suitable truck or the like 83 preferably having a bed 18 on which are tracks 1| corresponding to the tracks 58 and 5| on the fuselage base whereby the cargocompartment may be moved over the tracks 1| and secured in place on the track bed for subsequent delivery to the destination of the cargo at some distance from the airport for unloading.

With this arrangement an airplane may be flown to an airport and a compartment removed for delivery to its destination nearby and another corresponding loaded compartment placer on the fuselage base so the plane may continue its flight to the next destination. It is conterr plated that if no loaded compartments are available, a suitable dummy compartment may b mounted in place to complete the streamlininl of the fuselage to make the above-suitable for travel to'the next destination.

assess o V 3,

. streamlining effect andconventional shape as While, it is preferable that the fuselage base ment and spars. This arrangement causes no diiiiculty as the beam member 2i, winch. It and line 59 may be used to lift the compartment from the recess 13 formed at the forward end of the wing structure.

when using an apparatus such as described,

, the respective compartments are taken by truck or the like to the factory or other point of shipment of the goods and loaded. After loading, the I V compartments are taken to an airport where a plane may be available and by lifting the arm N and attaching the cable 82to the tail assembly of the plane, the beam 2| may be raised to raise the tail assembly abovethe normal height of the cargo compartment where it is braced in position by the member 68. The truck may then be placed at the end of the fuselage base as shown in Fig. 1 and the line 62 attached thereto to lift a compartment in such a manner that it may be placed on the fuselage base over the tracks 50 and BI and; rolled into position whereby the flanges 54 engage the flanges 55 of the. respective compartments to hold some against vertical movement. The arm 55 are then hinged upwardly under the recesses 58 and 59 and secured in place by the fastening devices 6 6 which also tend to prevent vertical movement. Due to the fact that the arms rest in the recesses, relative longitudinal movement of the plane and cargo compartments is prevented. After the required number of cargo compartments are placed on a fuselage base, the line 62 is attached to the tail assembly and the members 68 are removed to permit operation of the winch 6! to lower the tail assembly and beam into place whereby the pins 34 engage in the recesses 35 and the beam 21 seats inthegrooves 29, 30, 8| to hold the respective cargo compartments fi t longitudinal or lateral movement, The arm 31 is then hinged upwardly into the grooves 39 and 40 and is se-' cured in place by the fastening devices ll to complete the assembly of the airplane. The fact that all of the control cables to the tail assembly pass through the hollow beam 2! allows all of the control cables intact during the removal and placement of the cargo compartments so that when the tail assembly is secured in place by the arm 31 the airplane is ready for flight. The arm 64 is lowered into place over the control cabin and the motors 1 is started to carry the respective cargo compartments to their destination.

On reaching the destination of the cargo the the airplane. It'is also apparent that the structureis sturdy, eiiicient, of large capacity. yet economical'to manufacture and operate. I

"What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. In an airplane-construction, a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, a fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly of the'nose section, a tail assembly including control surfaces a cargo section removably mounted on the fuselage base, said cargo section having a recess in the upper portion thereof, a'beam. on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section and adapted to lie I in therecess in the upper portion of the cargo section. and means for spacing the tail assembly from the cargo section to permit removal of said cargo sectio'nl 2. In an airplaneconstruction, a nose section forming the forwardportlon of the fuselage, the

fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly ofthe nose section, a. tail assembly including control surfaces adapted ,to be secured to the fuselage base adjacent the end thereof, at least one cargo section removably mounted on the fuselage base, and having end surfaces adapted to nest with the end surfaces of the nose section and tail assembly, said cargo section having a recess in the upper portion thereof, a beam on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section and. adapted'to lie in the recess in the upper portion of said cargo section, and means including arms carried by the fuselage base for securing the cargo section to said fuselage base. 3. In an airplane construction, a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, a fuselagebase comprising a; platform extending rearwardly of the nose section, a tail assembly including control surfaces adapted to be secured to the fuselage base adjacent the end thereof,

at least one cargosection removably mounted on the fuselage base, said cargo section having aat least one cargo section being removably mounted on the fuselage base and having end surfaces adapted to nest with the end surfaces of the tail assembly and beam are raised by the winch ii in the same manner as when loading the plane and the line 62 is used to aid in lowering the compartments from the fuselage base to waiting trucks for the delivery of the cargo to its respective destinations, another compartment being placed on the fuselage base to permit the plane to continue its flight.

It is therefore-believed obvious that I have provided a structure in which all the control members remain connected, thereby minimizing nose section and tail assembly, said cargo section having a recess in the upper portion thereof, a beam on the tail assembly hingedly connectedto the nose section and adapted to lie in the recess in the cargo section to complete the streamlining thereof and hold same in place, and means for securing the cargo section to the fuselage base. 5. In an airplane construction, a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, the fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly of the nose section, a tail assembly including control. surfaces-adapted to be secured to the fuselage base track members mounted on the platform of the fuselage base, at least one cargo section being removably mounted on the fuselage base and adjacent. the .end thereof.

having end surfaces adapted to nest with the end surfaces of the nose section and tail assembly, said cargo section having grooves in the lower surface thereof adapted to slidably engage the track members on the platform of the fuselage base, and means for securing the cargo section to the fuselage base.

6. In an airplane constructio a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage. a fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly of the nose section, a tail assembly including control surfaces adaptedto be secured to the fuselage base adjacent the end thereof, track members mounted on the platform of the fuselage base, at least one cargo section being removably mounted on the fuselage base and having end surfaces adapted to nest with the end surfaces of the nose section and tail assembly, said cargo section having grooves in the lower surface thereof adapted .to slidably engage the track members on the platform of the fuselage base, said cargo section having a recess in the upper portion thereof, a beam on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section and adapted to lie in the recess in the upper portion of the cargo section and complete the streamassasso lining thereof, means on the beam engaging the cargo section to hold same in place, and means for securing the cargo section to the fuselage base.

'7. In an airplane construction, a fuselage base comprising an elongated platform, a nose section including a control cabin'on the forward end of the fuselage base extending substantially above the base, main supporting wings including motors secured to and extending outwardly from the fuselage base, at least one cargo section removably mounted on the fuselage base forming a portion of the fuselage of the airplane and mating with the nose section to complete the streamlining thereof, a tail assembly including control surfaces mating with the rear of the cargo section to complete the streamlining thereof, a beam member on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section to permit raising of the tail assembly above the cargo section, and means for connectingthe tail assembly to the fuselage base.

8. In an airplane construction, a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, a fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly of the nose section, wings including .motors secured to and extending outwardly of the fuselage, a tail assembly including elevator and rudder members, a beam connected to the tail assembly and hingedly mounted on the nose secfuselage base and havin a recess on the top thereof for receiving the beam when the respective parts are assembled in place, and means for connecting the tail assembly to the fuselage base.

9. In an airplane construction, a L058 section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, a fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly of the nose section, a tailassembly including control surfaces adapted to be secured to fuselage base engaged with the end thereof, track members mounted on the platform of the fuselage base, at least one cargo section being removably mounted on the fuselage base and having end surfaces adapted to nest with the end surfaces of the nose section and tail assembly, said cargo section havin grooves in the lower surface thereof adapted to slidably engage the track members on the platform of the fuselage base, said cargo section having a recess in the upper portion thereof, a beam on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section and adapted to lie in the recess in the .cargo section and complete the streamlining thereof, means on the beam engaging the cargo section to hold same in place, control surface operating means extending through the beam from the nose section to the tail assembly, and means for securing the cargo section to the fuselage base.

10. In an airplane construction, a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, a fuselage base comprising a platform'extending rearwardly of the nose section, a tail assembly including control surfaces adapted to be secured to the fuselage base near the end thereof, a cargo section removably mounted on the fuselage base,

said cargo section having a recess in the upper portion thereof, a beam on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section and adapted to lie in the recess in the upper portion of the cargo section, and means for spacing the tail assembly from the cargo section to permit removal of said cargo section.

11. In an airplane construction, a nose section forming the forward portion of the fuselage, a fuselage base comprising a platform extending rearwardly of the nose section, a tail assembly including control surfaces, a cargo section removtion, control members for operating the elevator and rudder members extending through the beam, a cargo section removably mounted on the ably mounted on the fuselage base, said cargo section having, a recess in the upper portion thereof, a beam on the tail assembly hingedly connected to the nose section and adapted to lie in the recess in the upper portion of the cargo section, and means including a pulley mounting and winch for raisingthe tail assembly above the cargo section to permit removal of said cargo section. CECIL H. BATHURST. 

